Rod at an Edinburgh University reunion in 1985
Rod Paton G3SZP died on 7th October 2016 aged 70 in his native Carlisle. He gained his licence in 1964 as GM3SZP while attending Merchiston Castle School as a boarder, and attending LRS meetings. At that time he operated a mobile station running 150W AM in a Mini – actually a Riley Elf! After a degree in Electrical Engineering from Edinburgh University in 1971, Rod spent his entire career with the South of Scotland Electricity Board, initially in Newton Mearns (Glasgow) and then from about 1974 at Kirkintilloch in the SSEB Grid Control Centre. After retirement in 2004, he returned to live at Scotby near Carlisle.
Click for Carlisle News & Star obituary.
His son Colin, who has held the call GM7GIB, kindly provided the additional photos below.
This is the 150W AM Tx that Rod used for Mobile in his Riley Elf!
Underside of the GM3SZP 150W mobile transmitter, showing the typical valve circuitry construction of that time.
(Photo rotated for ease of viewing)
Rod at the controls.
At a mobile rally, possibly at Carlisle. Also in the photo is Gordon Lamb G3MNL and another op, Geoff or Jeff.
In addition to the Riley Elf, Rod actually built a Mini-Marcos (R) from parts of an old Mini.
The Mini-Marcos.
Equipment in the Mini-Marcos.
Apparently the mobile antenna on the Mini-Marcos gave very good take-off!
GM3SZP home shack 1 – location not yet identified.
Home shack 2 – again not yet identified. Note mechanical RTTY equipment on left.
Rod with a 2m 8-over-8 in his living room!
Rod the organist.